The penalty given at Old Trafford, the penalty not given at the Reebok and offside goals for Arsenal and Blackburn
The highlight of the Right Result weekend, so to speak, was referee Howard Webb’s decision that is perceived to have changed the flow of the Manchester United versus Tottenham Hotspur game and, with it, the course of the destiny of the Premier League title.
With Spurs 2-0 up after nearly an hour at Old Trafford, United’s title aspirations were back in the balance. But Mr Webb’s decision to award the Reds a penalty, despite keeper Heurelho Gomes playing the ball before colliding with Michael Carrick, triggered an amazing revival that saw United storm to an emphatic 5-2 win (Editor’s note: it’s worth reading Scott’s viewpoint on the decision).
Aston Villa’s hopes of breaking into the top four are long gone and their demise should have been heightened at Bolton Wanderers. With the score at 1-1 at the Reebok Stadium, the home team should have been awarded a penalty when Villa captain Gareth Barry forcibly pushed Tamir Cohen in the area.
Sunday became interfering with an opponent day when the rarely enforced offside criteria should have ruled out two goals. Arsenal were worthy winners against relegation-haunted Middlesbrough at the Emirates. However their first goal should not have stood as, from an offside position, Gunner Nicklas Bendtner clearly distracted Boro keeper Brad Jones.
The same rule applies to Blackburn Rovers’ second goal in their hard-fought win against Wigan Athletic. Skipper Ryan Nelsen should have been denied his first goal in almost five years at Ewood Park with Christopher Samba being the guilty offside offender.
See the full Right Result table here and previous Right Result archives here. To learn more about Right Result and to follow it every week, click here.
If you think the officials got a decision wrong on the weekend, something that would have resulted in a goal or prevented one, let us know in the comments below.
Bitter Much?
Studs Up – Chris Toy
Regarding the offside rule, how can the linesman (not referees assistant, stupid bloody name) tell if the striker is interfering with play or even if he is in the line of sight of the goalkeeper when he has only a side view of his position in relation to the keeper, let us get back to a player is offside when he has only one defender or player between himself and the goal, then it will be oh so easy for a correct decision, FIFA have messed with the rules of the game too much, they should stick to governing and leave the rules alone, we never had much of a problem before
im sick n tired of sites lyk these blaming webb for united’s comeback.its not just one goal that wins u match when ur two nil down.Manchester United just showed why they are champions and did it in style.Wilson Palacios should have been sent off in the 2nd minute.We(Man utd) did not say anything to the ref about that.it couldve ended Ronaldo’s career.everybody keeps pointin to the penalty.the tackle was the worse you’ll ever get to see .so admit the fact that Manchester United can make any1 look miserable when they’re pumped up and thats why We’re the Champions of England.Champions of Europe.Champions of the WORLD!..18th title is waiting for us and ther r many more to come!..Glory Glory Man United and stop blaming the referee because he wasnt responsible for not one,not two,not three,not FOUR?! Goals scored by the Champions..United All the way!!…Glory Glory Man United!..
The interfering with play law is useless. Even if they are not interfering directly with play the defenders will have one eye on them likewise with a goalkeeper.
Its a similar story for Arsenal against Hull I think. The ball gets lumped forward towards a striker who is offside, Toure heads the ball poorly and falls to an on-side player who scores from a long range effort. How is that deemed not to be interfering with play by the striker? If he was known to be offside by Toure he would have let the ball run, but its impossible when you have your back to them.
Offside should have been called when the ball was played, as his presence was clearly interfering with play.